Troy University Athletics
Tiphanie Baker Claims Title in Auburn
4/17/2010 1:00:00 AM | Track & Field
AUBURN, Ala. - After sitting for two weeks to rest after a grueling indoor meet schedule and a tough opening weeks in the outdoor season, Troy University senior Tiphanie Baker returned in a big way Friday afternoon.
Last season, Baker qualified for the NCAA Region at the War Eagle Invitational in the discus, hammer and shot put. With new qualification procedures this season, Baker knew she had to climb the regional rankings ... and she did just that in the hammer throw at this year's War Eagle Invitational.
Baker broke her own school record in the hammer, claiming first place in the competition with a throw of 57.04 meters (187-02.00). The throw was good enough that she outdistanced second place finisher Liz Murphy of Grand Valley State by almost a full meter. After fouling on her first two attempts on the day, Baker's big throw came on her third throw of the day to vault her into the lead for the day - after finding herself in 16th position after the first two throws.
Freshman Brynn Forsythe finished 11th overall in the competition with a throw of 45.69 meters (169-11.00).
On the men's side, freshman Cody Bahrke returned to competition after taking a couple of weeks off to let his body heal after a grueling opening few weeks in the outdoor season. Bahrke returned to the first event of the War Eagle Invitational, finishing third overall with a throw of 46.49 meters (152-06.00).
Freshman Lizzie Clough broke her personal best in the javelin competition on Friday afternoon, finishing third in the event with a throw of 43.24 meters (141-10.00). The mark broke her personal best she set in the opening meet of the season - the Southern Miss Invitational - and she finished just one meter from winning the overall title on Friday.
On the men's side, freshman Matt Braswell finished second in the event with a throw of 56.29 meters (184-08.00). Meanwhile, sophomore Mackenzie Howell started to return to form on Friday as he finished third in the event overall with a throw of 55.99 meters (183-08.00). Freshman Heath Fincher finished eighth overall with a throw of 49.89 meters (163-08.00).
"We had a good day in throws on Friday," Troy assistant coach in charge of throws, Chip Brundage, said. "Tiphanie (Baker) was able to come out and throw like herself, getting a school record. She moved up the list in the hammer, as did Lizzie (Clough) with a big throw in the javelin."
The second day of the War Eagle Invitational begins early Saturday morning, and will continue until the final event of the day - the 4x400-meter relay - is run at 7:20 pm. Live results can be found by clicking on the link above, and final results from Saturday will be posted once they become available.
